Artists sought for waterfowl competition

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is soliciting original artwork entries for the 2013 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest. This year’s species of focus is the Greater Scaup (Aythya marila). The deadline for artists to submit entries is 4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 1.

“We have a relatively large format entry for waterfowl stamps art and that really lets artists be creative with their depiction of the birds we choose each year,” said Brian Sullivan, wetlands program coordinator and organizer of the waterfowl stamp program for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The Greater Scaup has never been depicted on the Colorado waterfowl stamp. This bird is a medium-sized diving duck that closely resembles, and often mingles with the more common Lesser Scaup. Greater Scaup breed primarily in the boreal forest and tundra of Alaska and Canada, and winter along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Small numbers migrate through Colorado. The Greater Scaup can be distinguished from the Lesser Scaup by its larger size, white coloration extending further into the primary wing feathers, and rounder head with a green sheen instead of purple. Both species are commonly referred to as “bluebills.”

Artists must submit a 13-inch high by 18-inch wide, full color original artwork for the contest. There is a $50 fee for each entry. The winning entry will receive $3,500, with smaller cash prizes for second and third place, as well. Complete requirements are explained in the application packet, which is available at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/WaterfowlStampProgram/.

Hunters can purchase the required $5 waterfowl stamp validation where hunting licenses are sold. The gum-backed stamp is available for a small additional fee.

Collector gum-backed stamps and art prints of the 2013 waterfowl stamp will be available for purchase midyear. Collector stamps and prints are sold through the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation. The Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation also has past stamp winner prints available.

The Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation was created in 1989 as a result of Governor Roy Romer’s Wildlife 21 Task Force report. The report recognized that Colorado’s abundant and diverse wildlife makes an immense contribution to the state’s economy and the quality of life in the state. The report also found that declining hunting and fishing revenues were insufficient to protect wildlife habitat from the threats posed by development. The Foundation was formed to raise funds to help fill the gap between available hunting and fishing funds and wildlife needs. The Foundation focuses its efforts on habitat preservation, wildlife research, species recovery, responding to wildlife emergencies and educating people about wildlife. For more information on the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation, go to: www.cwhf.us.